IAF's Dassault Rafale fighter deal

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IAF's Dassault Rafale fighter deal

February 11, 2012

F - 22 RAPTOR

THE 5TH GENERATION

The most advanced fighter aircraft in the world today, and currently the only '5 gen' fighter in active service, the Raptor is widely believed to be peerless. Its stealth profile (said to be that of a steel marble on enemy radars), advanced avionics and ability to go supersonic without switching on afterburners (' supercruise' ) are unmatched. The most expensive fighter around, its production numbers have been cut drastically in successive defence budgets, citing a lack of equivalent threats. US legislation currently prevents it from being exported abroad.

IAF's Dassault Rafale fighter deal

February 11, 2012

F - 35 LIGHTNING II

THE JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER (JSF)

The JSF programme is a US-led consortium of nine countries, including Britain and Italy, developing an advanced single-engine 5th generation multirole fighter optimised for the air-to-ground role with secondary air-to-air capability. The F-35 will make up the bulk of the US military's fighter fleet (over 2400 currently budgeted for) in the 2020s. Three variants are in development, with two currently battling serious delays and cost overruns. The F-35 also uses much of the tech found on the F-22.

IAF's Dassault Rafale fighter deal

February 11, 2012

J - 20

CHINA'S STEALTH GAMBIT

China stunned the aviation world with the debut of this large and sleek twin-engine 5th generation fighter last year. Details are sketchy, while experts are divided on whether what was shown, and flown, was a prototype or merely a technology demonstrator. Undoubtedly a stealth aircraft, at least in design, the J-20 is likely to enter service with the PLAAF in 2020, even though official sources claim it will do so by 2016-17.

IAF's Dassault Rafale fighter deal

February 11, 2012

JF - 17/FC - 1

THUNDER FOR PAKISTAN

Co-developed by China and Pakistan, the JF-17 'Thunder' is a 4th generation single engine multi-role fighter meant to fulfil both air superiority and ground attack duties. With advanced avionics and powered by Klimov RD-93 engines (similar to ones used by the IAF's MiG-29 s) this fighter will be the PAF's fighter mainstay over the next two decades. It is broadly comparable to the LCA Tejas. Pakistan will look to induct over 250 FC-1 s (PAF designation)

IAF's Dassault Rafale fighter deal

February 11, 2012

J - 10B / FC - 20

CHINA'S 'VIGOROUS DRAGON'

The J-10 A is currently China's primary light combat multirole fighter, while reverse engineered Sukhoi Su-27 /30s (called the J-11 B) will remain the PLAAF's primary topline fighter. A more advanced J-10 B version is scheduled to enter service in 2014-15. This single engine fighter (derived from an unused Israeli design, and powered by the same engine used on the Su-30 ) is fairly versatile, and the 'B' version may even have an AESA radar and better armaments. Pakistan is likely to induct it as the FC-20.

IAF's Dassault Rafale fighter deal

February 11, 2012

IAF's Dassault Rafale fighter deal

February 11, 2012

WEAPONS CONFIGURATIONS

With 14 hardpoints on its airframe the Rafale can carry a variety of weapons. These are likely to include the MICA 'Beyond Visual Range' (BVR) air-to-air missile, AM39 Exocet anti-ship missiles, a variety of air-to-ground (unguided and laser-guided ) bombs, and whatever nuclear delivery system the IAF opts for. A more potent Meteor BVR airto-air missile is in development, and may also be used on other IAF fighters.